Firm fined after worker falls through roof
March 1st 15:04 Health and Safety
A Suffolk-based company will have to reassess its facilities management compliance after receiving a £3,000 fine at Lowestoft Magistrates Court.
Eastern Hardware was fined after 54-year-old employee Paul Garrod fell through a fragile roof while installing some air conditioning ducting.
In addition to the fine, the company was ordered to pay £3,900 costs after breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Julia Jarvey said that Mr Garrod was forced to take a number of weeks of work after suffering "significant injuries".
"Had he not landed on the internal duct work, the fall could have proved fatal," she explained.
"This case highlights the need for companies to do everything possible to minimise the risk employees face when working at height."
The incident took place at Express Composites near Beccles in 2008. Mr Garrod suffered major bruising after landing on internal steel duct work.
Elsewhere, Washington-based Tanfield Metal Spinners was fined £2,000 last week after a worker lost a finger while operating dangerous machinery.
